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Apple Launches Recall and Replacement Program for Batteries in 2015 15-Inch MacBook Pro With Retina Display

Darth Tulhu said:
I disagree, but that's okay. :)

I think the 2011/2012 machines are arguably superior, in particular the 17", because it had the best combo of power, upgradeability, and expandability (the Expresscard slot is great). The 2012 15" lost the expresscard slot but added USB 3, though.

Once the Retinas came out Apple started soldering (well, it was the Air, but still)....
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I have an older model, 13", with an HDMI port, and it runs Zwift like a monster. It's kinda hard on GPU's. *shrug*
 
gank41 said:
I had initiated a chat with Apple because I’m experiencing the same issues while not covered under the Battery Replacement Program. I was told that they will service/replace the battery and return it to me with everything working normally again. So, that would mean making sure the Trackpad works like new and making sure the bottom case isn’t bulging anymore (plus the battery replacement, obviously).

I’m really curious about other’s findings after they’ve been returned, as to what else was needed to be fixed/replaced to get it up to spec.
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Just got an email saying I should get my MBP tomorrow morning! That’s super fast turnaround.
 
brought my '15 macbook pro for replacement of screen (slight delamination) and battery recall - I'm still covered under AppleCare extended warranted. genius accepted screen replacement but denied battery replacement bc my serial # wasn't valid - laptop comes back 2 days later with replaced screen and replaced top case w battery (symptom: swollen battery)
 
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I got my mid 2015 MBP back from the Apple Store yesterday. They shipped it off to CSAT in Texas for the repair. Also, note the battery manufacture date. The first of THIS month! I also attached the part of the receipt with the part number. Some people said they only got a battery replacement, not a full top case replacement. My top case was indeed replaced, as the keyboard has no wear (it did before) and they noted the topcase part # on the receipt as well.
 

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darngooddesign said:
People have been replacing drives in computers for a long time, all without requiring someth8ng branded by Apple. Apple doesn’t actually manufacture their drives, they just brand existing SSDVdrives.
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Apple didn’t fuss about my aftermarket Intel SSD. It’s been inspected at the Genius Bar (bottom cover removed, cleaned fans and checked for liquid damage since I just bought it used) and then had the battery recall done at the depot. Passes diagnostics with flying colors and they’ve serviced it with no problem.
 
Webster's Mac said:
Apple didn’t fuss about my aftermarket Intel SSD. It’s been inspected at the Genius Bar (bottom cover removed, cleaned fans and checked for liquid damage since I just bought it used) and then had the battery recall done at the depot. Passes diagnostics with flying colors and they’ve serviced it with no problem.
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I know right. I love the 1TB drive I put in my 2015 MBP and it was a damn site cheaper than Apple’s choice at purchase.
 
darngooddesign said:
People have been replacing drives in computers for a long time, all without requiring someth8ng branded by Apple. Apple doesn’t actually manufacture their drives, they just brand existing SSDVdrives.
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I'm aware of this but Apple uses a propriety connector that isn't standard. An adapter is required and most of these are hit and miss from what I've read.
 
just got my MBP back from the Apple Store in under 1 week.
Was told the battery, top case, and keyboard would most likely be replaced.
Only the batter was replaced.
Oh well.

Congrats to everyone that had everything replaced.
 
Jedi5 said:
just got my MBP back from the Apple Store in under 1 week.
Was told the battery, top case, and keyboard would most likely be replaced.
Only the batter was replaced.
Oh well.

Congrats to everyone that had everything replaced.
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Man that’s weird. Guess Apple doesn’t want to pay for entire topcase replacements anymore.
 
Just got notification about my MBP15 here in Sweden, that had to be sent to a service center abroad. Took eight days (in Monday last week, can be collected today Tuesday this week). Top case with integrated battery exchanged.

The local AASP (Apple Authorized Service Provider) said that they had five 2015 MBP-cases of this kind, so far.

p1hvqy3.png
 
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markfc said:
What drive did you use?
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The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs: https://beetstech.com/blog/apple-proprietary-ssd-ultimate-guide-to-specs-and-upgrades

With the 2010 MacBook Air, Apple began a new trend of developing proprietary connectors and form factors that eventually pervaded the entire Apple lineup and ushered in an era of drives that, while easily replaceable, were not so easy to find.

Many people incorrectly assume the connectors are one of the M.2 variants found in many PCs, but to date, Apple has still never used a standard M.2 connector. And unlike M.2 pin arrangements, Apple’s connectors were never given distinguishing names, so from this point on I’ll just refer to the connectors by their pin arrangements as described in the image below.

opt-apple-ssds-connector-types-1520x468.png

MacBook Pro (Early 2015 - Mid 2015)
The 2015 releases of the MacBook Pro laptops were also relatively minor upgrades, but again the SSDs brought about a huge speed boost, especially for the 15″ model A1398. Both the 13″ and 15″ computers support the full range of drive capacities and supported four channel connections, but the 15″ MacBook Pro also supported PCIe 3.0.

Both the 13″ and 15″ MacBook Pros also support the NVMe protocol and upgrading to Gen. 5 SSDs can bring a modest speed boost to the 13″ model A1502, but the 15″ model A1398 with its PCIe 3.0 connection really allows the NVMe technology to shine. Read speeds increase by ~40% and write speeds can increase by ~60%.
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gymrat2k said:
The Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs: https://beetstech.com/blog/apple-proprietary-ssd-ultimate-guide-to-specs-and-upgrades
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Upgrading 2013/2014 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/

With the new NVMe SSD support in High Sierra you can upgrade many 2013-2017 MacBook laptops with brand new, cheap NVMe SSDs carrying 3 to 5-years warranty, instead of expensive, used, out of warranty, AHCI SSDs.

Between 2013-2017, Apple shipped laptops equipped with proprietary but very fast SSD.
Those SSDs were PCIe-based AHCI "blade" SSDs with a proprietary "gumstick connector" (12+16 pins), either made by Toshiba or Samsung (SSUAX or SSUBX).

For many years the only possible replacements or upgrades for those SSD were to a) replace with SSDs pulled from other Apple laptops, or b) buy expensive third-party SSDs from vendors like OWC or Transcend, or c) take your chances with DIY solutions like buying a M.2 AHCI SSD with an adapter e.g. Samsung 941 or Samsung 950 SSDs.

These PCIe AHCI SSD are no longer made, so you can't buy new ones, and used ones are expensive with low capacity and no warranty.

At the same time, NVMe "blades" M.2 SSD are going more on more mainstream on the PC market, and there are literally dozens of brand new, cheap, super fast and reliable NVMe SSD on the market, with enormous capacities up to 2TB (and maybe more in the future).

So why not go NVMe ?

To gain full NVMe support you need two things :
  • support at the BootRom (firmware) level
  • support at the OS level
Hopefully, in 2017, macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) came out and it was discovered that it not only supported any tiers NVMe SSD but it also brought BootRom upgrades which enabled booting with NVMe SSD...
Yay!

So, now we can upgrade many 2013-2017 MacBook laptops with brand new, cheap NVMe SSDs carrying 3 to 5-years warranty, instead of expensive, used, out of warranty, AHCI SSDs.
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Just checked my machine's repair status and she is on her way back home from Texas! Since tomorrow is a US federal holiday the machine will be delivered by FedEx to the Apple store on Friday and I'll probably get an email or text later that day to pick her up.
 
The recall affects just the 15-inch MacBook Pro from 2015 and does not impact later models released in 2016 and beyond. -- why is that they limit it to 15 inch?? and not for the later models in 2016?
 
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